Friends of The West Town Museum

This is the site of the Friends of the West Town Museum of Cultural History in Maywood, Illinois. The site serves to promote the institution and activities of the Museum and its affilate, Operation Uplift Inc.

ATTENTION MACY SHOPPER’S !!!!!!!!! SHOP FOR A CAUSE ON SATURDAY AUGUST 25TH--THERE WIL BE AN ALL DAY 25% OFF SALE!!!!! ON NAME BRAND, REGULAR AND CLEARANCE ITEMS! TICKETS JUST $5!!! HURRY IN TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS, @ OPERATION UPLIFT, 104 S. 5TH AVE., MAYWOOD, IL; OR CALL: 708-343-3554

OPERATION UPLIFT INVITES YOU TO COME TO THE TASTE OF OUR WESTTOWN MUSEUM @ 104 S. 5TH AV. MAYWOOD, IL 60153. ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND 2012 WE WILL BE CELEBRATING 17 YEARS OF PRESERVING HISTORY!!!! A $25.00 DONATION WILL BE OPTIONAL. THERE WILL BE TOURING, NETWORKING & A PROGRAMME; FOLLOWED BY A SPECIAL GUEST, SIMEON WRIGHT (RELATED TO THE EMMETT TILL TRIAL). FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL OPERATION UPLIFT AT: 708-343-3554.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Model replica simulates a view of Lake St at the DesPlaines River during the 1860 Era, around the time when the Underground Railroad came through the location. This land later became the center of where Maywood was founded.

Mike Rogers, Dorothy Hall, Jeri Stenson and Northica Stone of the WestTown Museum participate in the Black History Event at the Maywood Public Libary. Ms. Stenson delivered a historical presentation.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

The Dedication of the Dr. Percy L. Julian Family Way took place Friday, September 17, 2010.

The location is at the corner of 14th Avenue & Oak Street, in Maywood, at 11 A.M.

This was a united effort of Operation UpLift, Inc. Home of the West Town Museum of Cultural History, the Village of Maywood, and Daddy’s Club of Riverdale, Illinois. There will be an Open House Reception, following, at the Museum, at 104 South 5th Avenue, in Maywood, Illinois.

For further information, please call (708)343-3554, (708)516-0628, or visit www.operationuplift-westtownmuseum.org.

Hosted By: Operation UpLift, Inc. Home of the West Town Museum of Cultural History Call: (708) 343-3554 PROCEEDS TO SUPPORT OUR NOT-FOR PROFIT MISSION OF EMPOWERMENT “A HAND UP NOT A HAND OUT” Also: Remembering Michael Jackson THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT !!!

Dr. Joseph D. Turner is the Senior Pastor and Teacher of Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Perrine, Florida. He is a native of Chicago, Illinois and the youngest of eight children born to Deacon and Mrs. Johnnie M. Turner, Sr. At the age of five, Dr. Turner accepted Christ as his personal Savior. In 1984, at seventeen, Dr. Turner accepted the call to the ministry and was ordained by his pastor, Dr. William R. Lott, Sr., of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois. At Mt. Sinai, Dr. Turner was active in the Youth Ministry, Sunday school, Evangelism and Young Men's Pacesetters Bible Class.After graduating from high school, Dr. Turner enrolled in Bishop College in Dallas, Texas and later transferred to Florida Memorial College in Miami, Florida where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology in 1991. Immediately after graduating from Florida Memorial College, Dr. Turner enrolled in the School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia where he received a Master of Divinity Degree in 1994.

While furthering his studies at Virginia Union University, Dr. Turner met and married Eugenia Marie Cheatham of Richmond, Virginia. Mrs. Turner is a woman with a warm and gentle spirit who greatly compliments her husband's ministry. Three children have been born to this union: Jaelin Marie, Joseph Dwayne II, and Jordyn Nicole. Dr. Turner is currently serving as Adjunct Professor of Religion and Historical Philosophy at Florida Memorial College. In December 2000 he entered United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, and successfully defended his dissertation and graduated in December of 2003. Dr. Turner's community involvement includes mentoring roles in the 5000 Role Models of Excellence, Outstanding Young Men of America and Vision and Hope, Incorporated.

Dr. Turner's outlook on life as a pastor is one that is characterized by honesty, integrity, willingness to allow his life to be an expression of the life-giving presence of God. Through prayer and spirit-filled leadership, Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church will become a church that is "Liberated for Service."

Saturday, January 19, 2008

The West Town Musuem now features an updated exhibit on Dr. Percy L. Julian, a pioneer scientist and former Maywood resident. Also, Operation Uplift, The Maywood Historical Society, and Housing Helpers are initiating an effort to consider renaming Washington Elementary School in Maywood as Washington - Julian Elementary. Dr. Julian lived in Maywood for 15 years and served as PTA President for that same school which his children attended. A petition drive in underway.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

OPERATION UPLIFT, INC. is an Illinois grassroots Not-For-Profit Corporation, founded in 1968, to provide self-help development services to the unemployed, underemployed and low-income residents of the Proviso Township and Western Metropolitan Chicago land community’s unemployed, underemployed, and low income population. The agency also designs strategies that promote academic, social, cultural and economic advancement for individuals and minority small business owners. The agency’s programs and services extend “A HAND UP, NOT A HAND OUT.”

The organization conducts two grass-root programs:

PROGRAM I

Operation UpLift Training and Resource Center - Provides hands on Computer Training, Job Readiness Skills, Employment Referral Assistance, Life Management Counseling, G.E.D. Studies, Nutritional Counseling, and Small Business Seminars. The center is a member of the Maywood Chamber of Commerce, Triton College Advisory Council on Adult Education, and the Mayor’s Summit on Crime & Violence.

PROGRAM II

The West Town Museum of Cultural History - Established in 1995, byNorthica H. Stone with the expressed purpose of researching, designing, exhibiting and re-echoing the heritage of Chicago’s West Suburban Community. The West Town has a 80% focus on Black History with a blend of other cultures; that together compose the true story of American History. The archives are a major vehicle for historic preservation, oral history, photographs, videos, textiles, cultural tourism, self-esteem building and overall community pride. This multifaceted mission promotes the legacy of historic achievement and highlights the importance of the present, with hope for the future.

The West Town Museum is a member of the Illinois Association of Museums, the Oak Park Visitors Bureau and is certified by the Village of Maywood as the community’s official public museum. It is supported by admission fees, memberships, museum store, donations and contributions from individuals, private corporations and social groups.

BACKGROUND

During its 40 year existence, the Operation Uplift Center has served more than 20,000 low to medium income individuals and families; who have needed a social economic and cultural “Hand Up and Not a Hand Out.” Our service delivery area is Proviso Township which is located in the near West Cook County Community.

Operation Uplift , Inc. networks with other agencies including the Cook County Department of Planning, The United Way of Metro-Chicago, Illinois Department of Human Services – Substance Abuse Department, the Maywood Chamber of Commerce, Elementary School Districts 88, 89, 92, as well as Proviso Township High Schools District 209. The Maywood Public Library and Triton College are also a part of our social service network.

The Reverend Dr. Otis Moss, Jr., was called to the ministry at the age of 17 and entered Morehouse College (Atlanta, Georgia) on the same day he gave his initial sermon. (He completed his term as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Morehouse in 2005). His quest for knowledge and pursuit of educational excellence led him from Morehouse College as a Bachelor of Arts graduate and onward to Morehouse’s School of Religion/Inter-Denominational Theological Center where he received the Master of Divinity degree. Reverend Moss selected a further course of Special Studies at the Inter-Denominational Theological Center and ultimately achieved his goal of the Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary in 1990.

During his early days as a minister, Dr. Moss was blessed to sit at the feet within the inner circle of many phenomenal persons such as Dr. Benjamin E. Mays andDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Both of these persons provided friendship, leadership and spiritual guidance and helped to shape the thinking and model for leadershipDr. Moss represents today. He is recognized across the nation and globe as an eloquent spokesperson and spiritually-grounded man of God, carrying the banner for love, justice, equality, and human rights for all.

As Dr. Moss so aptly states: “My decision to enter the ministry is a gift…a special calling from God.” His ministry is truly a gift; held up before the world as shining light for all to see. This gift was first discovered in his pastorates at several congregations in the LaGrange and Atlanta areas (including co-pastoring with Dr. Martin Luther King, Sr., at Ebenezer Baptist Church), further developed at Mt. Zion (Cincinnati, Ohio), and reaching full fruition at the Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, Cleveland, Ohio, where he has just celebrated his 31st Pastoral Anniversary.

Dr. Moss has consulted with presidents, been honored for his work in civil rights and has delivered the Word of the Gospel all across the globe. He is recognized and revered for his dedication to all humankind. The accolades and achievements of The Reverend Dr. Otis Moss, Jr. are great in number; they supercede the barriers of color, race and religion. His love and respect for obtaining knowledge have earned him the respect of many in the academic community. It is no wonder that Dr. Moss has been awarded four honorary degrees from Cleveland State University, Shorter College (Arkansas), Morehouse College and Temple Bible College. Rev. Moss has also taught at the University of Cincinnati, United Theological Seminary and Ashland Theological Seminary.

Each year, we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Birthday by recognizing present day, youth, adults, and organizations that are KEEPERS of his DREAM. It is the UpLlift philosophy that by highlighting these individuals, our youth may see that success is realistic and obtainable. We feel that many of our youth lack hope and direction. By showcasing individuals who have come from within the community, and have faced similar challenges as current youth today; it is our hope that this event serves as an inspirational springboard toward the pursuit of excellence and success.

This event is usually attended by over 500 guests, and has the support of local, State, and Federal politicians as well as community leaders, clergy, the local business community, and citizens. In our 20th year of hosting this community event we have had attendees from as far as Newcastle, England and Ghana, West Africa.

In the past 20th year we have also been honored to have hosted a number of nationally and internationally recognized Keynote Speakers and Honorary Chairpersons (i.e. U.S. Commissioner Joyce Tucker, Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., and Ambassador Carol Mosley-Braun). This year, the Operation Uplift Family is honored to have as our Keynote Speaker the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr., Pastor of the Olivet Institutional Baptist Church of Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Moss is an international renowned Civil Right Leader and Pastor. He is unique in that he is one of the few remaining individuals who worked directly with Dr. King in the Civil Right Era.

It is with Dr. King’s spirit of community empowerment and youth aspiring for excellence that we solicit your participation in celebrating with us, as we continue to lift “A Hand Up but, Not A Hand Out” to our township communities and Western Cook County, IL.

Ms. Stone is a native of Maywood, IL and has been a Bellwood resident for the past 32 years. She is a graduate of Proviso East High School and attended DePaul University, Fisk University and holds a certificate in Community Law from John Marshall School of Law.

Northica is a long-time community activist; beginning as a charter member of Maywood’s first NAACP Youth Council. As much, she represented the area at one of the first “Marches on Washington” rallies in 1949; where she lobbied Senator Everett Dirksen for an Illinois Affirmative Action Law.

In Bellwood, she and her late husband George organized block clubs, were active in local Boy Scout Troop 123 and served as P.T.O parents. In 1968, George Co-founded Operation Uplift, Inc. a Not-for-Profit Social Service organization, it remains today and Ms. Stone serves as its President/CEO.

In 1995, Ms. Stone passion for Cultural History inspired her to establish in her husband’s memory; the West Town Museum of Cultural History located in Maywood. It is the first Public Museum in Proviso Township that preserves, exhibits, and interprets the multi-cultural pages of American History.

She has received many awards for her endeavors, including recognition from Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, The National Council of Negro Women, Dr. Dorothy Height, Congressman Dannny K. Davis, President John H. Stroger, Jr., Osco Jewel Corps. “Hidden Jewel of the Community,” and Who’s Who In American Executives.

She is a member of the historic Second Baptist Church and the mother of 2 sons. Her philosophy is one that she shares with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. which states:"If I can help somebody as I pass along.If I can cheer somebody with a word or song.If I can show somebody that he's traveling wrong.Then my living shall not be in vain"

Sunday, August 5, 2007

The West Town Museum hosted an open house on Friday August 3, 2007. Legendary Dr. Margaret Burroughs, founder of Chicago's DuSable Museum (top), was the honored guest speaker. She recited poetry to the audience and commended all who make the West Town Museum possible. After CEO Northica Stone welcomed attendees, twin divas Monica and Marsha blessed the program with a spiritual song (bottom) to open the festivities. Curator Jeri Stenson introduced a new exhibit featuring the history of Maywood's own Dr. Percy L. Julian (middle).

Friday, July 13, 2007

Loyola Medical Center Security Director Gregory Moore offers information for protection from identity theft to a gathering at the museum. Also making presentations that day was Central Credit Union and First Suburban National Bank.

Maywood Mayor Henderson Yarbrough and State Rep. Karen Yarbrough join the aviation historian Mr. Wendell, West Town Museum curator Jeri Stenson and CEO Northica Stone at a feature presentation of aviation history hosted at the museum in 2006.

West Town Museum

Founded in1995, under the Not-For-Profit umbrella of Operation UpLift, Inc. Its missionis to explore, research, interpret, preserve and educate society about thediverse and rich history of Maywood, Illinois and the surroundingsuburban communities.

This historyconnects all people to the National and International spirit that embraces thehuman experience.

One of itsprime missions is exhibited in our archives, of the existence of the Maywood—McDonald’s “TenMile House” stop on the Underground Railroad. It was a part of thatrunaway slave network which led African-Americans from the South, to the Northand into Canada.As early as 1830, this abolitionist movement was active thru the efforts of theFather of the Underground, David Ruggles and later, the famous Harriett Tubmanand others.

There arepictorial exhibits, including the 1869 founding of Maywood by Col. William T. Nichols, a hero ofthe Civil War. It also connects Maywoodto abolitionist Zebina Eastman, Bessie Coleman, Charles Lindbergh and theCheckerboard Air Field.

The Museumalso chronicles the lives of some of the first Black residents of Oak Park, River Forest,Melrose Park, LaGrange and Maywood. Also included is the profile of Dr.Percy L. Julian, world-renowned chemist, a civil rights leader and a Maywood resident between1935-1950.

Annually,the Museum hosts special events during the holidays of Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr. and Black History Month.

Futureexpansion plans are to construct a new 3-story facility to include anall-purpose auditorium space.

The Museumis certified as the Maywood Public Museum;and is a member of the Illinois Association of Museums, the Maywood HistoricalSociety and the Maywood Chamber of Commerce. We are promoting community prideand tourism.

COME VISIT US!

Calendar of Events

Jan 15- Dr. King Annual Event

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Proposed Future West Town Museum Expansion Site

Over a thousand items and artifacts at the West Town Museum

Original Ten Mile Freedom House

This structure served as a freedom station for slaves during the Underground Railroad era in the 1800's. It was located at Lake Street along the bank of the Des Plaines River near 1st Ave in Maywood. An Undergorund Railroad Memorial has now been erected at the location. The West Town Museum helped sponsor the memorial and also features informative exhibits about this site, the Underground Railroad, and the slavery era within the museum galleries.

Underground Railroad Memorial

Located on Lake St. at the Des Plaines River Bridge

Sculptural symbolic representation of escaping from the chains of slavery bondage and entering the mysterious journey of the underground railroad to freedom is one feature of the Memorial.

Plaque text at the memorial

Unique Historical Exhibits

The museum has a variety of informative , unique historical exhibits about African American culture, Maywood and the Proviso Township area unlike no other place!